Is Muskie Edible?

[racfish]

Do we look at Muskies as a food fish or a fighting (c&r) fish? I think I've asked before.Do any of you eat them?If so how would you prepare and what type of texture does it have? Thanks...

[swedefish4life1]

Combo Mutten Chops base#-o :@: Stir and beat hard repeat 3 x:cheers: :bounce: :chef: lol

[Rich McVey]

Eat a Tiger Musky...??? Never!!!! :pale: Catch - Photograph - Release!!!

A regular wild Muskie or Pike... Havnt. I've heard they are good eats but have yet to catch any of them.

The Tiger Musky are listed as Game Fish by the WDFW.

[Anglinarcher]

OK, I'm not from Washington, and I have fished a lot for both Norhterns and true Muskies in other states.

Yes, they are edible, but even my wife, who thinks fish are the food of the gods, thinks they are pretty bland. Oh ya, and did I say they have more bones then you can count?

Meps put out a method of filleting Pike that works pretty well, but personally, I think they are only worth C&R efforts. But again, as much fun as they are to catch, what is wrong with that?:bigsmurf:

Now that you mention is, I think I'll go attempt to give sore jaws to some Tigers this weekend.

[Dex]

Hey Racfish,

Let me say first, l a Tiger Musky here in Washington must be 50" in order to keep it anyway, not an easy task. I have a heard of a few fish that size caught this year but there few and very far between. Secondly, I don't think you would find them very tasty. I grew up in the mid-west and remember trying them and not enjoying them. As stated above their tough and full of bones. Lastly is the simple fact that these fish have no way of reproducing on their own, so you can imagine what would soon happen if we all started keeping these awesome fish. I've been lucky to pull in some nice fish over the years and have some great pictures showing my catch. I also have some great releases on film and that’s more satisfying them the catch at times.

I have no problem with someone catching a legal fish and choosing to keep it... That’s there call, but I also know what it takes to maintain this fishery and it's growing rapidly as more people find an interest.

[kevinb]

Musky meat is edible but will cause severe upper and lower GI bleeds and has been known
to burn holes in the stomach lining.

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys.I wasnt asking to go out and start a new craze or anything.They are an interesting fish.They have probably looked that way for millions of years.Are they like carp?(eating)Ive eaten walleyes caught in Banks Lake while camping there every year.They were quite good.Im leary about eating fish shown on a can of Schlitz Beer.One last question? Do they breed on their own in Wa State?I hear of plants only. Why arent they planted in Lake Wa? Are the salmon and trout feeders?

[SPARKY101]

Now dont be goin and taking this the wrong ways guys..i was at cabelas on sun..checked on the little 16-18" and also they have 2 white sturgeon in the trout tanks...well there was and asian group who kept calling the musky "walley" and i finally lost it and said those are musky not walleye..those lmb are not bluegill and the blugill are not crappie#-o ...well they were so intriged by my bursted response that they thought i should give tips on catching for there dinner..as they so politely asked how they tasted and there love for bass and bass eggs..and would love to eat the muskies..im sorry guys it sucks all the way around..i left while shaking head..i know its peeps rights but C"MON...so the musky will be a favorable food soon on the menu of course...wish i coulda said ur line KB..thought i was doin some good with fish identification..shoulda said the catfish was the musky and pointed at the trout and said thems be inbread and best tasting bass in the world..

[Dex]

Racfish,

I was always Leary of Schlitz regardless of what was on the can...lol

Anyway, no Tiger's can't breed on their own, there are genetically steral. That way there a great fish for the WDFW to plant in lake to help with the pike minnows and other trouble fish. There have been several studies done on the very question you asked and everything has looked well. I'm sure there have been a trout or salmon here and there but mostly it's been problem fish.

Great question

[Anonymous]

I did a job some time ago in Oly.There was Capitol Lake there. Is that all fresh water and are there fish in there?..Back to topic.By all means put them in Lk wa. Maybe kill off some squawfish and chubs. I ve been catching my share lately.

[The Quadfather]

Now dont be goin and taking this the wrong ways guys..i was at cabelas on sun..checked on the little 16-18" and also they have 2 white sturgeon in the trout tanks...well there was and asian group who kept calling the musky "walley" and i finally lost it and said those are musky not walleye..those lmb are not bluegill and the blugill are not crappie#-o ...well they were so intriged by my bursted response that they thought i should give tips on catching for there dinner..as they so politely asked how they tasted and there love for bass and bass eggs..and would love to eat the muskies..im sorry guys it sucks all the way around..i left while shaking head..i know its peeps rights but C"MON...so the musky will be a favorable food soon on the menu of course...wish i coulda said ur line KB..thought i was doin some good with fish identification..shoulda said the catfish was the musky and pointed at the trout and said thems be inbread and best tasting bass in the world..

I got a kick out that one....
You started thinking you're doing some sort of the right thing... community service fish ID etc. Next thing you know---
You're scared:batman:

[Mike Carey]

ditto on the taste - even pike I've caught in the cold clear waters of Canada was OK at best. Just point them to the perch...

[Don Wittenberger]

I can't imagine myself killing one of these magnificent creatures.

[racfish]

Don I'm that way with alot of species.Even some fish in the salt.I dont kill ratfish,dogfish,bullheads.Pike Minnow is about the only fish I kill ,just because they eat way too many smolt and eggs.

[Dex]

RF,

Have you ever been Musky fishing???? I can't remember......

[ProAngler'sDaughter]

With a good scoring technique (essentially chopping up the bones) and a creative recipe, Muskie can actually be tasty--although, like many of you, they wouldn't be my fish choice. I much prefer Pike for human consumption. Having endured many a shore-lunch in the Midwest, I have had many, many yummy ones--with a variety of different cooking approaches/recipes. Be creative if you want to try it...and better yet go to the Midwest to catch your eats.

I do echo the majority here. It would be a shame to eat a WA Tiger. Should you catch an elusive 50" monster, it's your call...but the more we can promote C-P-R, the better we are able to help sustain the exciting Muskie fishery here in our great state.

Good inquiries RF. I appreciate honest inquisitiveness and an open mind.

Fish On!!

PAD

[Rich McVey]

HI-JACK

Cooper River Salmon, Its it really that good? Im seeing 7.99 to 12.99 a pound/whole.

Back to the normally scheduled topic.

[Ski]

Hey guys, just wanted to set a midwest "beer issue" straight. The musky (to the best of my knowledge) was never on a schlitz can, it was on the Schmidt beer can wildlife series. Several of our beloved grannys would even crochet hats out of them. In addition, Miller had a wildlife series with them on mirrors you would see in taverns.

[muskyhunter28]

Do we look at Muskies as a food fish or a fighting (c&r) fish? I think I've asked before.Do any of you eat them?If so how would you prepare and what type of texture does it have? Thanks...

Everyone forgot to tell you the most important reason why you don't eat them!
Tiger musky are full of venom and if you don't clean them right, you will eat the Venom and Die!!!
CPR, Man, CPR!!!!!

[Dustin07]

Hey guys, just wanted to set a midwest "beer issue" straight. The musky (to the best of my knowledge) was never on a schlitz can, it was on the Schmidt beer can wildlife series. Several of our beloved grannys would even crochet hats out of them. In addition, Miller had a wildlife series with them on mirrors you would see in taverns.

Animal Beer !